A continuation of CKUW's morning radio show 'Better Than Chocolate' (voted People's Choice for Favourite Spoken Word Show in 2008) in which you'll find news about Winnipeg events.
Have a great day. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

Each spring the paths and free-form beds of the beautiful English Garden are brought back to life under the tender loving care of our expert horticulture team.

A donation in honour of your Mom will support the spring planting of new annuals, adding a vibrant burst of colour to this magical space that lasts all summer.

We will send your Mom an eCard letting her know that flowers will be planted in her honour. A dedicated flower bed in the English Garden will recognize all the generous gifts made in honour of Mother's Day. Thank you for your support!

This workshop by Ted Muir, will help you understand the workings of your camera; suitable for photographers of all skill levels.
Workshop fee is $15 plus admission. Pre-registration is required.

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May 8

Mother's Day and Wildflower Sale

Mom will love the native grasses and wildflowers!
They are well-adapted to our climate and will attract butterflies and birds.
After shopping, treat Mom to our special Mother's Day Lunch in our scenic Café overlooking the Marsh from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Explore the Marsh by canoe or on foot, or by Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

$3 for members and $5 for non-members applies for the canoe and wagon rides

Participate in a real live songbird banding session at the marsh.
The bird banding is followed by a canoe excursion or a guided birding walk on the trails.
$25 per person. Please register ahead to secure your place.

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May 21 to 23

Get Into Wetlands
Participate in one of our many wildlife surveys this weekend, watch a wildlife movie and join us for a behind the scenes critter feeding session of our live animals.

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May 28 - 7 a.m.

Early Riser - Bird and Breakfast
Join our Resident Naturalist on a morning walk in the marsh to see spring migrants and nesting waterfowl. After the walk, enjoy a delicious hot breakfast in our scenic Café.
Cost is $12/person plus admission.

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May 28 and 29

Archaeology, Rocks and Minerals Weekend
Learn gold panning, dig for fossils and be dazzled by the beauty of minerals.
Participate in our Mineral Silent Auction held both days at 1 and 3 p.m.

Enjoy a Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride through the marsh on Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

$3 for members and $5 for non-members apply to this forty-five minute ride.

Spur explores the current relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples, following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation report and the opening of its national centre in Winnipeg. How are the meanings of reconciliation evolving?

Participants: Winona LaDuke and Niigaan James Sinclair

Featuring a performance by Katherena Vermette

This event is programmed in partnership with The University of Winnipeg

Payment by cash or cheque can be made at the door; however, advance RSVPs are required. Please pre-register by emailing meaworkshops@gmail.com

Editing for Screenwriters

Learn to fine tune your own screenplay or become a valuable second set of eyes.

Taught by Winnipeg writer and active Cold Read participant, Allan Turner, this afternoon workshop will cover the basics of script editing and look at important details unique to writing for film, television, and theatre.

Take a walk through cre8ery’s auxiliary gallery and check out our studio resident artists who will be working in their studio spaces.

The art is for sale! Please consider supporting local artists!

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May 18 at 7 PM - 9 PM
West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1Z8
This event is free; dinner will be served, and childcare will be provided.

Aging Up: Extending Supports for Youth in Care is a film produced by community group 25not21 that highlights the stories of youth who have experienced the child welfare system and their perspective on the supports made available to them at this transition.

Following will be a panel from the film who will continue the conversation.

25not21 is a collective of youth from care, students, professionals, community members, and allies seeking to achieve justice for youth. Our current goals surround the support youth receive as they age out of the child welfare system.

“Song And Dance Man”, the title track from Jason Collett’s sixth full-length album, finds the iconic singer-songwriter back, with three-minutes-and-change and a story to sing. Featuring the bright production touch of Bahamas’ Afie Jurvanen, “Song And Dance Man” covers the trials and triumphs of the modern musician with poignant poetry, contemplative reflections on getting older, backed with an affinity for freewheeling 70s dance music.

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May 6

Tickets $15 and include a copy of the Bearfight album PRIOR to the show

Bearfight's Album Release Party for 'Memories.Jealousy.Truth"

We've been fortunate enough to have some of our favourite bands to join us:

Theatre By The River invites Winnipeg to Wine & Words, an event dedicated to celebrating writing, reading, and yes, wine! Hosted by Lara Rae and featuring a cast of local celebrities and professional actors, the 2016 event will come to life under the Planetarium Dome!

Since its first production in 2010, Wine & Words has celebrated the written works of Canadian musicians, poets, playwrights, authors, and storytellers. Professional actors and celebrities present dramatized readings of new works composed by established and emerging writers to help fundraise for the company's season.

Join us as we celebrate not-yet-published pieces from established and emerging writers themed to Space, Exploration and the Infinite Universe!

The Vicar of Dibley - A joint fundraiser for the Manitoba Association of Playwrights and St. Matthew's-Maryland Community Ministry.

Based on the BBC TV comedy The Vicar of Dibley is the story of a small English village suddenly faced with the unimaginable - a female vicar! (The Church of England ordained its first women priests in 1994.) Rev. Geraldine Granger tries to win over her parishioners in the face of staunch opposition, through sheer determination and a lot of humour.

Written by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer

Adapted for the stage by Arthur Milner

Directed by Scott Douglas

Starring a cast of Anglican and United Church ministers - Lenise Francis, Ted Dodd,

With the growth of public interest in all things holistic over the past decade the Body Soul & Spirit Expo has been in the forefront of introducing the public the many new options, ideas, concept, product and ways of living that are now emerging in our world.

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May 7 at 4 PM

Life after LIfe with Lisa Scrivens

This event is FREE with admission. Be sure to RSVP and get your seat saved

Known as "The Canadian Medium" Lisa Scrivens has been seeing and hearing spirit since the age of 3. After a life-altering visit from spirit, Lisa dedicated her life to connecting people to what is most important by spreading messages of love and hope from Heaven.

Become a Medium & Healing Channel with Gail Thackray, an exceptional psychic who will give a demonstration of her connection to spirit. She will give readings and healings to participants, cutting chords and clearing auras. Then she is going to show you how to perform the things she does. She will connect you directly to the energy of the enlightened beings that work through her.

Each person will receive an individual attunement to the energy. Gail will be showing you how to use crystals and pendulums.

Gail Thackray is the author of Gail Thackray’s Spiritual Journeys: Visiting John of God and 30 Days to Prosperity: A Workbook to Manifest Abundance and star of the new movie John of God, Just A Man. Many report spontaneous healings and a powerful connection just from attending Gail’s events.

Youth from all walks of life are encouraged to attend this free event.

Building Bridges Through Our Stories: Youth Gathering

Islamic Social Services Association in collaboration with the Winnipeg Foundation, Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute and Community Works is hosting a youth gathering.

This initiative is a direct response to youth voices in Winnipeg. In 2014 the Winnipeg Foundation published the Young Winnipeg's Report Card. One of the main outcomes of the data collected was Winnipeg's youth want to foster understanding, to transcend differences and celebrate the rich diversity of this city.

Winnipeg March For Mental Health, Hosted by Inspire Community Outreach Inc.

Celebrate your strength by marching with your friends and family.

With Guest Speakers: Angela Taylor of Inspire Community Outreach

Joey Cowan, Mental health and addictions advocate

Aly Raposo, 4th year U of M student speaking of her success through mental illness

Registration is for those who wish to raise money for the event, and to promote mental health awareness and programming for our community. Please check Inspire's website for information about how money is used and for what initiatives.

You will get a T-shirt and a package of coupons/items from local businesses, including a gift certificate from Supper Central!

-Live music performances from local artists: Andrew Raposo and Randi Johnson

With his third album, the self-titled Alberta Cross, the band’s mastermind and sole official member, Petter Ericson Stakee, is asking us to slow down. He’s asking us to join him on the journey he’s made.

It’s morning. You sip coffee while scrolling through social media posts. You see exotic places, far away people… And then suddenly, something looks familiar. Yes, it is an image of your neighbourhood; sunshine, tall trees, that interesting building at the corner of the street, the man that looks just like your neighbour walking his dog…

This picture makes you feel good. It makes you feel proud of the beautiful place you live in – Winnipeg. You like it and you want to share it with others.

In support of their debut LP, Kamloops foursome Van Damsel is set to bring their distinct brand of energetic, danceable alt-pop to Winnipeg. Joining the band is fellow BC sensation, Little India, who will be bringing the heat with their own version of hyper catchy indie pop with a tropical flavour. Rounding out the bill is hometown favourites, the up-and-coming indie phenomenon, Paisley.

To donate, please email with the password 'springswap'. Thank you so much!

Drop & Swap!!

We are not able to hold a craft sale, so we have started a go fund me page to raise the funds needed to support this event.

Items must be clean, freshly laundered, in good working order.

Clothing pre-sorted by size and item, no holes or stains, no broken buttons or zippers. Toys must be pre-sorted by item. We will not accept items dropped off after 11 am.

The first 100 people dropping off AFTER 9 am will get a ticket 1, going in to swap at 12 sharp. The next 100 people will get a ticket number 2, and will be in the second line up. The next will get a ticket number 3, and so on. Stay after you drop off, and have a coffee or tea, and then starting at 11:45 pm, the line ups start. At 12 pm sharp, show your ticket to join many excited local parents.

The Suicide Girls: Blackheart Burlesque is unlike any other burlesque act you’ve seen filled with pop culture references, high energy indie soundtrack and the sexiest choreographed strip tease to make your inner nerd explode with striptease performances in tribute to Star Wars, Orange Is The New Black, Donnie Darko, Clockwork Orange and more!

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May 3 at 8 PM
The Good Will - Social Club, 625 Portage, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2G4
Tickets are $20.50 Ticketmaster and at the Winnipeg Folk Festival office

The Winnipeg Folk Festival presents Simon Townshend, the Who's secret weapon for the past 20 years. He was born the son of England’s top big-band reed man, Cliff Townshend, and younger brother of The Who legend Pete Townshend. Simon has been recording and performing since the age of nine, when he added vocals to The Who classic Tommy.

Tickets are $20.00 per show or $50.00 for the full series pass. Visit for more info.

One Trunk Theatre, together with the West End Cultural Centre and UMFM 101.5 present 204FM, a comedy radio series performed live weekly with broadcast to follow.

A new episode debuts every Tuesday!

Directed by Andraea Sartison.

Written by Gwendolyn Collins, RobYn Slade, Toby Hughes, Ross McMillan and William Jordan. Performed by the writers, Gord Tanner and guest musicians.

Each performance will feature an opening set by a guest musical act, followed by the radio play with live sound foley. Each episode will be broadcast on UMFM Fridays at 7:00 p.m.

In the early 1900s unfortunate mistakes bind Hermes, the god of travel, in gold. Now a statue, Hermes is passed from one continent to the next, bringing bad luck and a feeling of “stuckness” everywhere he goes. World powers unite and decide to send him to a place in the middle of nowhere… Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Hermes has perched atop the Legislature and we call him the golden boy, a statue reeking a feeling a apathy and not letting anyone leave. Enter regular Winnipeggers who are sucked into an adventure exploring the city and meeting a cast of characters, from the Grey Nuns to Burton Cummings, who give them a new perspective.

A hilarious roller coaster ride through time, winters, socials, and mysteries, '204FM' is a uniquely Winnipeg buffet, created by top Winnipeg comedians and theatre artists for the citizens of our one great city.

Do you still have any of your childhood or teenage writing? Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids is an open-mic evening of book reports, poetry, diary entries, letters from camp, etc. — all read out loud by adults to a room full of strangers. Sign up to read

This event will be recorded, and selections may air as part of a radio broadcast or podcast.

Joe Roberts is President and CEO of a successful multimedia company, who has faced and overcome many challenges.

Vision Quest is pleased to offer certification courses as an exclusive opportunity for Conference delegates.

Two courses will take place concurrently on Tuesday May 17 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The Gala Banquet on Thursday evening includes a three-course dinner, presentation of awards for the Dragon’s Quest Business Plan Competition and Steve Prince Memorial Bursary, cultural presentation by Plains Ojibway Singers and Dance Troupe, artistry by Shawna Grapentine, and entertainment by singer/songwriter Don Amero and Elvis Tribute Artist Corny Rempel, both of whom have garnered multiple awards and nominations.

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April 18 Doors open at 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM - 10 PM

Times Changed High and Lonesome Club

Theatre Projects Manitoba's final Salon of the 2015/16 Season. New work from company in residence Make/Shift Theatre, special appearances from One Trunk Theatre and more!

The remount of Brent Lott’s arresting duet Angle of Repose, the World Premieres of duets by former WCD dancer Lesandra Dodson and former WCD Artistic Director Tedd Robinson and a Sneak Peek into Brent Lott’s new full length work for next season, Flight of Fancy.

Over the last two years of doing this show we have built up a strong following. April 22nd is the one night to see them all performing their best material. This is no open mic, there are no amateurs here. Only the best.

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April 27 at 9 PM - 11:30 PM
Tickets at The Park Theatre, Music Trader, or online

Only 99 pieces will be accepted. It will be juried. You must be a current member at the time of submission and a member at the time of the exhibition in January 2017. Each participant must produce new works, never shown at cre8ery, no larger than 20” x 20” including frame. Sculptures will be accepted provided they are smaller than 24”.

Artworks must be for sale, valued at $199 or less. 25% will be retained by the gallery.

Fee at the time of signing contract: $20 total for 2 or 4 pieces.

You will receive invites from the gallery, you will be responsible for inviting people to the exhibition. Cre8ery will market the show as usual.

The Institute for International Women's Rights - Manitoba is pleased to host a very special evening: Local to Global 2016, with Ellen Gabriel

Age of Reconciliation: Restoring the Roles Women Traditionally Play

All proceeds will support 3 charitable organizations:
MATCH International Womens Fund (for projects led by Indigenous women)
Mohawk Language Custodian Association
the Global Citizenship Scholarship Fund for students studying and working for international women's rights at the University of Winnipeg, Global College.

Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel was chosen by the People of the Longhouse and her community of Kanehsatà:ke to be their spokesperson during the 1990 “Oka” Crisis to protect the Pines from development.

For the past 25 years she has worked diligently as a human rights and environmental advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples and to sensitize the public on the history, culture and identity of Indigenous peoples.

Ellen is the former president of the Quebec Native Women’s Association. She is a cultural consultant for the Kanehsatà:ke Onkwawén:na - Niión:kwarihoten (Language and Cultural Center). She is a vigilant advocate for gender equity, justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women; the revitalization of Indigenous languages, culture, traditions and Indigenous peoples' rights to self-determination.

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Welcome to Winnipeg!

While I was born in Malta, raised in NY and lived in BC, Winnipeg is home.
I've co-hosted an award winning radio show.
I've been published in newspapers and literary anthologies and my plays have been produced.